In only his second appearance in the Friction Hydraulics Series Mason Durant surprised everyone to take the win in Round 3, Velotik RT’s 15. Durant finished 8th in Round 14 of the Series in 2021, his sole previous appearance but was testing out a new time trial bike which seems to have made a significant improvement to the Paramount CRT rider. 15 miles is the least seen of the ‘Standard’ distances, but Durant took to the format with gusto. Held on the A53 Hodnet bypass whilst adding a loop down Hazles Road towards Ellerdine, more commonly known as Tiddly Lane, Durant flew around the course in 32 minutes 22 seconds, averaging 27.8mph to see off the attentions of reigning Friction Series Champion Tim Beardmore by 27 seconds despite freezing cold conditions. Durant was pleased with his efforts, and the return of normality to the traditional post-race social, stating: “My first test on the time trial bike and I was very happy to come away with the win. Thanks to the organisers, and I was very happy to see the return of tea and cake – much needed after a cold and early start”.

Beardmore didn’t go home empty handed however as the Bridgnorth CC rider headed back to the top of the Series standings after a mechanical issue cost him dearly in Round 2; and extended his lead in the Friction Veterans Series, with his 32:49 converting to a strong +7:37 win on Standard, seeing off team mate Jonathan Mills-Keeling who recorded +6:07. Like many Beardmore found conditions challenging to race in, but made the best of it: “A very cold morning with a nagging head wind on the long leg to the Tiddly turn made for a slow day I think. I found some decent rhythm in places and was pleased with my pacing and power. A strong ride by Mason to take the win – thanks to everyone who helped out in cold conditions”.

Another rider thankful for a sense of normality but in more than one sense was RAF CA rider Dan Watts, who is on the comeback trail after time stationed in The Falklands and some subsequent health concerns impeding him making his usual racing impact when back on home soil. Watts posted a fine 33:32 to take third spot and was happy to set out a benchmark performance as he eases himself back into competition: “I’m happy to be back in the racing fold after health problems kept me out of most of last season, so I’m pleased to take third. Thank you to Velotik and all the marshals for the event, and as always the post race cake was very welcome”.

It was a close call in the Friction Women’s Series as the top two riders were split by a solitary second, with Deb Hutson-Lumb taking her customary win in 42 minutes exactly, just shading out Oswestry Paragon’s Helen Tudor. However the reason for the closeness of the challenge was revealed in the Wrekinsport CC rider’s post race comments: “Full winter gear and a road bike required to get me to a very cold start. I struggled to keep power for the last five miles and was glad to get back to a warm HQ – kudos to everyone riding or marshalling on a very chilly morning”.

In the Friction Junior Series it was another close call with first and second split by just four seconds as Chester Romei extended his lead t the top of the standings after just shading out Wrekinsport’s Ben Southgate. This was Romei’s first taste of the distance and the North Shropshire Wheeler seemed to enjoy it: “A great race, my first 15 mile TT and a good one, with a respectable time. Very cold conditions starting in 0ºC – thanks to everyone that helped make the event possible”.

Result

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series – Round 3

Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Points
1 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 32:22 60
2 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 32:49 55
3 Dan Watts SCCA Private Member S 33:32 50
4 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 34:11 45
5 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V 34:51 40
6 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 35:36 35
7 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers J 37:35 30
8 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 37:39 25
9 Allan Henderson Wrekinsport CC S 37:57 20
10 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V 38:39 15
11 Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC V 38:42 10
12 Mark Griffiths Wrekinsport CC V 39:43 5
13 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers V 40:45 5
14 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 42:00 5
15 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 42:01 5
16 Geoff Edgerton North Shropshire Wheelers V 43:23 5
17 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 48:08 5
18 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV 50:02 5
. Angela Boycott Wrekinsport CC WV DNS-A .
. Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing V DNS-A .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship – Round 3

Vets Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Vet +/- Vets Points
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V +7:37 60
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V +6:07 55
3 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V +5:41 50
4 Bryn Davies Hafren CC V +5:20 45
5 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV +3:24 40
6 Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC V +2:54 35
7 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV +2:42 30
8 David Drew North Shropshire Wheelers V +2:40 25
9 Gareth Brookes North Shropshire Wheelers V +2:20 20
10 Geoff Edgerton North Shropshire Wheelers V +2:02 15
11 Mark Griffiths Wrekinsport CC V +1:43 10
12 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV -4:54 5
13 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV -5:19 5

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship – Round 3

Women’s Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Women’s Points
1 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC WV 42:00 60
2 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC WV 42:01 55
3 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 48:08 50
4 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC WV 50:02 45
. Angela Boycott Wrekinsport CC WV DNS-A .

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship – Round 3

Junior Pos’n Forename Surname Club Cat Time Junior Points
1 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers J 37:35 60
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC J 37:39 55

Top Club Award – Round 3

Pos’n Club Points
1 Bridgnorth CC 100
2 Wrekinsport CC 75
3 Paramount CRT 60
4 North Shropshire Wheelers 55
5 Hafren CC 40
6 Revolutions Racing 35
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 5

Cumulative Standings after three rounds

Friction and Hydraulic Services Shropshire Championship Points Series

Position Name Club Cat Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC V 165
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC V 150
3 Tomos Hales Wrekinsport CC S 115
4 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing V 95
5 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers J 65
6 Mason Durant Paramount CRT S 60
7 Daniel Watts SCCA Private Member S 50
=8 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing V 45
=8 Chris Riley Paramount CRT V 45
=8 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC WV 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Veterans Championship

Position Name Club Best 12
1 Tim Beardmore Bridgnorth CC 180
2 Jonathan Mills-Keeling Bridgnorth CC 165
3 Graeme Donnell Revolutions Racing 130
=4 Andrew Rose Revolutions Racing 50
=4 Chris Riley Paramount CRT 50
=4 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 50
=7 Bryn Davies Hafren CC 45
=7 Karl Moseley Bridgnorth CC 45
=9 Dave Moore Wrekinsport CC 40
=9 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 40
=9 Mark Griffiths Wrekinsport CC 40
=9 Rob Childs Bridgnorth CC 40

Friction and Hydraulic Services Women’s Championship

Women’s Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Victoria Doran Wrekinsport CC 165
=2 Deb Hutson-Lumb Wrekinsport CC 60
=2 Robin Jones Bridgnorth CC 60
4 Helen Tudor Oswestry Paragon CC 55
5 Clare O’Donnell Wrekinsport CC 45

Friction and Hydraulic Services Junior Championship

Junior Pos’n Name Club Best 12
1 Chester Romei North Shropshire Wheelers 120
2 Ben Southgate Wrekinsport CC 55

Top Club Award

Position Club Total Points
1 Bridgnorth CC 400
2 Wrekinsport CC 305
3 Revolutions Racing 140
4 Paramount CRT 120
5 North Shropshire Wheelers 95
6 Hafren CC 40
7 Oswestry Paragon CC 5